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Minister with responsibility for Information and Gender Affairs, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer (left), shares a moment with her mother, Gertrude Falconer (centre); and Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Elaine Foster Allen, following Sunday’s (November 22) commemorative church service to launch the observance of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Senator Falconer delivered a message on behalf of Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, whom she represented. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women will be observed on Wednesday, November 25, under the theme: ‘Violence does not Discriminate: Unite to End Gender-Based Violence’.

Gov’t Embarks on Shelter Policy for Victims of Domestic Violence

To continue the drive against the scourge of domestic violence in Jamaica, the Government has embarked on a national shelter policy for victims. “The church is one of the organisations that we are working with to provide shelters across the...

Civil Servant of the Year 2015/16 and Senior Director, Planning and Development Division, Ministry of Education, Barbara Allen (foreground), accepts the symbolic baton from her predecessor, Sean Barrow, during the recent launch of Civil Service Week, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston. The week was celebrated from November 15 to 20, under the theme: ‘Diligently and Relentlessly Pursuing Quality Public Services for Sustainable Development’.

Barbara Allen – Top Civil Servant for 2015/16

Jamaican Reggae Superstar Orville 'Shaggy' Burrell performs at the Chain of Hope’s fundraising ball in London on Friday (November 20). The Jamaican philanthropist, through his Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation, is partnering with Chain of Hope to raise funds in the United Kingdom (UK) to support the provision of cardiac services for children at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

London Fundraiser to Benefit Children with Heart Defects

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Ralph Thomas (2nd left), is flanked by Jamaican recipients of the 2015 Caribbean Heritage Awards. They are (l-r) is Michael Thompson, recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award; Luminary awardee, international Reggae Artist Maxi Priest; and recipient of the Forerunner Award, Beverly East. The awards were presented at the 22nd Annual Caribbean Awards Gala held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington DC on Friday, November 20.

Three Jamaicans Honoured At Caribbean American Heritage Awards

Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A.J. Nicholson, addresses members of the Upper House during his contribution to the debate on the three Bills to establish the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as Jamaica’s final appellate body, on November 20.

CCJ Referendum Not Practical – A.J. Nicholson

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, addresses a JIS Think Tank on November 18.

11 years ago Agriculture

JAS Assuring Adequate Supply of Produce for Christmas

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, is assuring consumers that there will be adequate supply of produce for the upcoming festive season. Addressing a JIS Think Tank recently, the JAS President said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries should be commended for the support given to the farmers during the drought period. “The Government implemented...

Fundraising and Public Relations Officer at the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) Shullian Brown, Radiation Oncologist at 21st Century Oncology, Dr. Sophia Edwards-Bennett (middle) Substance Abuse Officer at the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), Daniel Brown (right), responds to a question at a recent JIS Think Tank.

11 years ago Health & Wellness

Focus On Youth for Lung Cancer and Drug Awareness Month

The Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) and the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) are increasing their focus on smoking among young people in order to prevent lung cancer. Fundraising and Public Relations Officer at the JCS, Shullian Brown, said that in addition to the regular cigarettes, young people are using substances such as grabba, e-cigarettes and hookah pipes. Ms. Brown...

Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Managing Director, Colin Campbell (left), addressing journalists during Friday’s (November 20) media briefing at the entity’s corporate offices at Twickenham Park, Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Listening keenly is JUTC Deputy Managing Director in charge of Operations, Kirk Finnikin.

11 years ago Transport

JUTC Projects Revenue of $5.2 Billion for 2015/16

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is projecting to generate revenue of $5.2 billion for 2015/16. This is an increase over the earnings of $4.7 billion in 2014/15 and $2.8 billion in the 2011/12 fiscal year. JUTC Managing Director, Colin Campbell, said revenue was at $2.98 billion for the first seven months of the fiscal year, and “we are optimistic...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Dr. Fenton Ferguson (centre) addresses employers and union representatives at a special meeting of the Labour Advisory Council held on Wednesday (November 18) at the Ministry’s North Street office. Listening on are: Permanent Secretary, Collette Roberts Risden (left) and Consultant and Advisor to the Minister Hurley Taylor (right).

11 years ago Labour

New Minister Pledges to Advance Work of LAC

Newly appointed Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has pledged to advance the work of the Labour Advisory Council (LAC). “Given the critical importance of the work of this advisory group to the overall success and impact of the output of this Ministry, I want to express my support for the work that you do. I...

State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown (centre), greets Migration and Development Programme Coordinator, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Republic of Moldova, Ghenadie Cretu (left). Occasion was Wednesday’s (November 18) meeting of the National Working Group on International Migration and Development (NWGIMD), at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), New Kingston. Listening keenly is: Director of the PIOJ’s Social Planning and Research Division, Easton Williams. The NWGIMD is chaired by Mr. Brown, with Mr. Williams serving as his deputy.

11 years ago Foreign Affairs

Work Advanced on Migration and Development Policy

Work is advanced on the International Migration and Development Policy, which seeks to address the challenges and opportunities associated with migration. State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, said that preparation of the policy has advanced to the Green Paper stage for “further and deeper” discussions in order to fine-tune the document, thus taking it to...

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (left) is gifted with a painting by Art Teacher at York Castle High School, Akimeo Timoll (centre) and student, Tabia Mae. The painting, which depicts the Minister and York Castle Principal, Raymond Treasure, was presented at the official launch of the Sixth Form programme at the school on November 19.

11 years ago Education

Rev. Thwaites Urging More Students to Seek Tertiary Studies

Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, is encouraging more of the country’s secondary level students to seek to matriculate to a college or university. He said that guidance and support are available for students, who wish to pursue advanced studies. “We need to increase from about 22 per cent to 40 per cent in short order, the number of our...

Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill (second left), listens intently while National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Chief Executive Officer, Peter Knight (right), delivers his report during a recent Heads of Agencies and Departments meeting at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices. Also listening, from left, are: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Alwyn Hales; and Director General, Dr. Sharon Crooks (partly hidden).

11 years ago CommunityEnvironment

Persons Encouraged to Practice Proper Solid Waste Disposal

Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, is again encouraging persons to undertake proper disposal of domestic and commercial waste, and refrain from depositing these materials in drains, gullies, and waterways. This, he says, in order to prevent the occurrence of flooding and pollution, among other consequences, which can result from improper disposal of debris, and which...